Instantaneous water-heater.



B. E. MEAGHAM. INSTANTANEOUS WATER HEATER. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10, 1914.

1,103,8G1 Patented July 14,1914,

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INSTANTANBQUS WATER HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED TEB.10,, 19-114 Patented July 14, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

BENJAMIN E. MEACHAM, OF LORAIN, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN STOVE COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

INSTANTANEOUS WATER-HEATER.

Specification of Letters Fatent.

Patented July 14, 1914.

Application filed February 10, 1914. Serial No. 817,849.

' the accompanying drawing.

when it is not This invention relates to improvements in instantaneous water heaters, and particularly to automatic means for controlling the fuel supply to the burners of the heater, whereby the fuel is fed-to the burners automatically when the hotwater faucet is open; and the fuel automatically cut off when the hot water faucet is closed, and the flow of water maintained at a predetermined temperature when the hot water faucet is opened and the water is flowing through the heater.

In all of the instantaneous water heaters known to me now in use, they employ a valve located in the water supply pipe that is connected with the fuel controlling valve for turning on and cutting off the fuel respectively, when the water is flowing and flowing through the heater.

' It is recognized by those skilled in this art ling the water and raising it to a that such valves are liable to stickeither open or closed, but the trouble in this respect is more often that it sticks open. This sticking open has been found to result from an obstruction of some kind getting in the way of the closing action of the valve; by corrosion, or for some reason the valve has become so tightened in its casing that the re-,

turn spring therefor-is not sufliciently strong to return itto its closed position. For this reason it is common in this type of heater to employ a thermostatic means for controlflow of gas independent of the water valve, so that should the water valve stick open the thermostat will act independent of the water valve to shut ofl the flow of gas and thus prevent injury or destruction of the heater by reason of the over heating of the dangerous temperature, all of which is well-known and understood by those skilled in this art.

The primary object. of my present invention is to so construct a fuel control for instantaneous water heaters that this water valve is omitted with its recognized liability to inoperativeness, and provide means which does not involve the use of a water valve for opening and closing the fuel valve respectively when the water is flowing through the heater and when it is not flowing through the heater, and to combine with this a thermostatic mechanism which will maintain the flowing water at a predetermined temperature through, but not independent of the water actuated means for initially controlhug the fuel valve when the water is and is not flowing through the heater.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, ofia water heater with my improvementapplied thereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical central sectional view through my improved fuel controlling mechanism. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fi 2, showing a modification of the water va ve that is controlled by the thermostat.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 is a heater case; and 2 the coils or water-receptacle located therein. A gassupplypipe 3 is provided that supplies gas to a chamber 4 within which is located a fuel or gas controlling valve 5. An outlet fuel pipe 6 extends into the base 7 of the heater and is connected with a plurality of main burners 9, of any suitable construction. 'Thus far I have described what is common to the water heaters now in use.

My resent improvement pertains to a mechanism for controlling the fuel valve 5 and thereby the flow of fuel to the main burners 9, in which construction the water valve heretofore used in instantaneous water heaters is omitted.

My improved fuel controlling mechanism embodies two expansible and contractible chambers 10' and 11, which are acted upon by the variation in the pressure of the water when flowing and when not flowing the heater. These expansible and contractible chambers are constructed of what is wellknown in the market as a sylphon, the reliability of which has been thoroughly tested out and is well recognized in the trade. cated between these-two sylphons is a casing 12, and this casing 12 is divided into two. chambers 13 and 14. These two chambers 13 and 14 have lateral communications 13' 105 .10 has its inner open end 1 in communication with the chamber 13, and thesylphon 1.10

through 11 has its inner open end 18 in communication with the'chamber 14. A rod 19 is connected rigidly with the closed ends 20 and 21 of the two sylphons 10 and 11, and this rod 19 is in turn connected with the fuel valve 5, by means of a rod 22 which passes through a suitable stuifing-box 23 of the gas chamber 4.

A valve 24 is located in the water supplypipe 16 for regulating the flow and thereby the pressure. of the water passing through the heater and this and the pipe 16 has its upper end 25 in communication with the upper end of the coil or water receptacle 2, the-water passing downward therethrough, as is usual in these heaters. The particular construction of the water coil or receptacle 2 is immaterial to this invention and need not be described. Also as usual in these cons'tructions, a thermostat 26 of the usual construction and so well known that any detailed description thereof is unnecessary, ex-

cept to say that the thermostat is so located that it'is within the circuit of the heated water, by means of a connection 27 and is thereby influenced by the temperature of the water flowing through the coil or receptacle 2. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the thermostatic lever 28 has its lower and free end 29 connected with a sliding rod 30, and this sliding rod passes through the upper end of the chamber 12, and through an auxiliary chamber 31 located in the upper end of the casing 12. This auxiliary chamber 31 has a communication 32 with the chamber 13, and a communication 33 with i the chamber 14. A valve 34 is carried by the rod 30 for controlling these communications 32 and 33 and the chamber 31 is in communication with the thermostat 26 by means of a pipe or passage 35. The thermostatic lever 28 is held in its proper position by means of'a spring 36, which is connected at one end to the lever and at its other end with the pipe 35. Preferably, the sylphon 10 is slightly larger than the sylphon 11, and the sylphon 10 is preferably inclosed within a water-tight case 10, the functions of which will be pointed out in connection with the operation of the device.

In operation, with the hot water faucet A closed, the pressure of the water in the supply-plpe 16 flows into the chambers 13 and 14, and is equal in the two chambers.

The sylphon 10 being larger than the sylphon 11, by reason of its increased area, it will overcome the expansive pressure of the water in the smaller sylphon 11 and draw the fuel valve 5 and hold it normally closed when water is not flowin'g through the heater. With the temperature of the water lowered, the thermostatic lever 28 and the valve 34 are normally in the position shown in Fig. 2, and this places the chamber 13 in communication with the pipe 35 through located. With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2, and the temperature of the water lowered below the predetermined temperature, the fuel-valve 5 is held closed for the reason just stated. \Vhen, however, the faucet A is opened, some of the water flows through the chamber 13 and the pressure of the water therein is lowered, while the chamber 14 is not in communication with theoutlet pipe 35 and the pressure in the chamber 14 remains undisturbed and the smaller sylphon 11, by reason of the higher pressure in the chamber 14 overcomes the sylphon 10 causes it to contract and opens the fuelvalve 5, permitting the flow of fuel to the heater burners. When the water in the heater has reached the predetermined temperature, at which the thermostat 26 is set, then the thermostatic lever 28 is permitted to move in the direction indicated by arrow and the spring 36 pulls it with the rod 30 to move the valve 34 in position to close thrcommunication 32. The valve 34 is of j:.-

the proper length to open the communication 33 just about when the communication 32 is closed, and at this point the water in the heater has reached the predetermined temperature. When the communication 33 is open, the chamber 14 is placed in communication with the outlet pipe 35 and thecommunication of the chamber 13 with the said pipe is cut off. By reason of this, the water pressure of the chamber 14 is increased in the chamber 13, with the result that the sylphon 10 expands, contracting the sylphon 11 and closes the fuel-valve 5, and cuts off the flow of fuel to the heater. As soon as the temperature of the water is lowered, the movement of the thermostatic lever 28 and the rod 30 is reversed and again shifts the higher water-pressure into the chamber 14, causing the fuel-valve 5 to again open. In this way the thermostat acts through the sylphons to control the flow of fuel to the burners according to the temperature of the water and while the water is flowing through the heater. It will be; observed from this that the thermostat performs its function only when the water is flowing through the heater and that the initial opening and closing of the fuel valve when the faucet A is opened and closed i performed by the sylphons independent of the thermostat.

Attention is called to the fact that the pipe 35 is in communication with the thermostat 26 and that the water which flows through this pipe 35 does not pass through the heater. Consequently, the water passing through the pipe tends to cool the water passing from the heater, but since the thermostat is in the passage of the cold water sufliciently to have the water in the heater hot enough to heat the small amount of cold water passing through the pipe 35, and no more fuel is required to heat the water from the pipe 35 in this way than would be required if the water from pipe 35 passed through the heater.- In fact, it may pass through the heater, but I prefer to have the chambers 13 and 14 communicate with the outlet B, so that these chambers are, in fact, between the coil 2 and the outlet faucet A, because there is greater reduction in the pressure of the water when it is flowing through the faucet A, between the coil and the faucet, than there is between the coil and the pipe 16, due to the friction of the water through the coil. By having the water which passes through the chambers 13 and 14 to flow directly into the outlet B, the friction of its passage through the coil 2 is obviated and the reduction in pressure within the chambers 13 and 14 is greater than the water that is flowing through the coil by reason of this method of connection. This form of fuel control is adapted to be used in places where the water valve construction can not be used. It is recognized that considerable water pressure is required to operate the water valve by reason .of its friction and the spring which must be used to return it to its closed or normal position, and that in individual house systems Where the water is in a tank in the upper part of the house, the pressure of the water is not sufficient to operate the water valve. In my improved construction there is practically no friction of the sylphons and they are more sensitive for that reason; there is no liability of failure to work by reason of friction and they will operate as herein described with a pressure such as would be present in these individual tank systems.

In Fig. 3, I showa slight modification in respect to the valve for controlling the communications 32 and 33. In this modification there is placed on the rod 30 two springactuated valves 32 and 33. They act to control the communications 32 and 33 in the same way as the valve 34. In this connection I have shown a small sylphon a in the place of the stufling-boX 23 of Figs. 1 and 2, simply to avoid the friction on the rod 30 and to prevent any leakage and the necessity for adjustment after use because of leakage.

By making the sylphon 10 larger than the sylphon 11 the necessity for a spring to hold the fuel valve 5 normally closed is obviated, for it will be understood that if the sylphons 10 and 11 were of the same size the pressure in the two would be equal when the water was not flowing through. the heater. I desire it to be'understood, however, that the two sylphons 10 and 11 could be of the sam size and a spring utilized to normally close the fuel valve, the equal pressure in the two sylphons permitting the spring to act, and that the generic invention heredisclosed' is sufiiciently comprehensive to involve such modification. I

The object of providing the water-tight closure 10 for the sylphon 10 is that should the sylphon 1O become broken or leaky, for

any reason, reducing the pressure therein, then the fuel valve might be opened by the sylphon 11. By providing this inclosing case 10', the water will be held within this case and equally within and without the sylphon and thus cause it to still operate and close the fuel valve until such repair could be made. However, in this instance, the sylphon does not engage the wall of the chamber 10' so there is no friction or possibility of sticking of the sylphon.

As already stated, the pipe 35 may be connected to have the water therefrom flow through the heater coil. Instead of having the pipe 35 communicate with the thermostat, as shown, in some instances, it would be desirable to have .it connected with the middle of the coil, for instance, at the check valve (Z, as shown in dotted lines, instead of through the thermostat.

Having thus described I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A controlling device for water heaters, comprising in combination, a water supply, two sylphons in communication with the water-supply, a fuel controlling. valve operatively connected with the sylphons, whereby one sylphon acts under the water pressure to" close the fuel valve and the other by the reduction of water pressure to open the fuel valve.

2. A. controlling device for water heaters, comprising a water supply, two oppositely acting sylphons in communication with the water supply, one sylphon acting against the other, a fuel valve operatively connected with the sylphons whereby the water pressure acting on one sylphon compresses one sylphon and closes the fuel valve, and a reduction in the water pressure permits the other sylphon to open the fuel valve.

3. A controlling device for water heaters,

comprising a water-supply, two sylphons in communication therewith, a fuel supply valve operatively connected with the sylphon and automatic means-for shifting the varia tion in water pressure from one sylphon to the other, whereby the fuel valve is normally held closed by the water-pressure and is opened by a reduction in the water pressure.

4. A controlling device for water heaters,

comprising in combination a water-supply,,

two sylphons in communication therewith, one sylphon being larger than the other, a fuel valve operatively connected with the sylphon, and means for equalizing the water pressure in the sylphons when water is not flowing my invention, what and for reducing the pressure in the large sylphon when the water is flowing, whereby the fuel valve is closed when the water is not flowing and is opened when the water is flowing.

5. A controlling device for water heaters, comprising a water supply, two sylphons in communication therewith, means for normally holding the fuel valve closed and automatic means for unbalancing the water-pressure between the sylphons when the water i flowing, for the purpose described.

6. A controlling device for water heaters, comprising a water supply, two sylphons in communication with the water supply, means for balancing the water pressure in the sylphons when not flowing through the 7. A controlling device for water heaters,

coinprising .in combination a water supply, two sylphons in communication with the water-supply, a fuel valve operatively connected with the sylphons, means for balancing the water-pressure in said sylphons when the water is not flowing, means for reducing the pressure in one of the sylphons when the water is flowing, and a thermostat for controlling the said means.

8. A controlling device for water heaters, comprising a water supply, two chambers in communication with the water supply, a sylphon in communication with each of the said chambers, a connection between the sylphons, a fuel supply operatively connected with .the sylphons and thermostatic controlling means for varying the pressure in the said chambers and thereby in the said sylphons according to the temperature of the water flowing through the heater, and thereby co-ntrolling the fuel supply.

9. A controlling device for water heaters, comprising a water-supply, two chambers in communication therewith, said chambers having a water outlet communication, two sylphons, one of each in communication with 10. A controlling device for water heaters,

comprising a water-supply, two chambers in communication with said water-supply, a sylphon in communication with one chamber and extending laterally therefrom, a sylphon in communication with the other chamber and extending laterally in the opposite direction, a connection bet-ween the sylphons, a fuel valve operatively connected with the sylphons, said chambers having' outlet communications, and a thermostatic controlled means for controlling the outlets and thereby causing unequal pressures in the said chambers according to the temperature of the water passing through the-heater for controlling the fuel valve.

11. A controlling device for water heaters, comprising in combination a water-supply,

two chambers in communication therewith,

each chamber having a sylphon in communication therewith and operative connection between the sylphons, a fuel valve, the sylphons having a common connection with the fuel valve, the chambers having a wateroutlet, and a thermostatic controlled means controlling the water outlet from the chambers, for the purpose described.

12. A controlling device for water heaters, comprising in combination, a water-supply, two chambers in communication with the water-supply, each chamber having a sylphon communicating therewith, a thermostat, the chambers having a water outlet in communication with the thermostat, and means connected with the thermostat for controlling the outlet from the chambers,f0r the purpose described:

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in, the presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN E. MEACHAM.

Witnesses:

A. O. CALHooN, FLORENCE STEINHOFF. 

